Bonds/Interest Rates

The August update for Westpac’s leading index for Australia added more fuel on general expectations of strong growth recovery in 2010.

The time for caution ended at the RBA’s monetary policy meeting this month, as the time for action had arrived. A review of the minutes of that meeting.

Comparing the current crisis to past experiences doesn’t give us a road map, but it does point out some of the pitfalls that need to be avoided.

A brief look at important company events and economic data releases next week.

A Street-beating result from Intel after the bell set the tone for tonight after a quiet session. Dow down 14. (Locked for subscribers until 10:00 AEDST)

Metal prices surged on short-covering last night while Wall Street eased back from intraday highs. Dow up 61.

Wall Street was quiet last night ahead of what was a well-received result from Alcoa after the bell. Dow down 5.

Australian housing finance aprovals fell slightly in August but the details reveal a better result.

Gold surged last night on rumours of the Middle East dumping the US dollar, while Australia’s rate rise was the talk of the town. Dow up 131.

With economic growth returning closer to trend, the RBA thought it prudent to begin lessening monetary stimulus.